Shape retaining lining for a hat or cap



Oct. 4, 1966 J, FEKETE 3,276,038

SHAPE RETAINING LINING FOR A HAT OR CAP Filed. Feb. 18, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR doseph l /(efe Oct. 4, 1966 J, FEKETE 3,276,038

SHAPE RETAINING LINING FOR A HAT OR CAP Filed Feb. 18, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Rim All,

Oct. 4, 1966 J. FEKETE SHAPE RETAINING LINING FOR A HAT OR GAP Filed Feb. 18, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Oct. 4, 1966 J. FEKETE 3,276,038

SHAPE RETAINING LINING FOR A HAT 0H CAP Filed Feb. 18, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 3

J0sep/7 l eke Ze Oct. 4, 1966 J. FEKETE SHAPE RETAINING LINING FOR A HAT OR CAP 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 18, 1964 INVENTOR. JOJep/I fke Ze 3,276,038 SHAPE RETAINING LINING FOR A HAT R CAP Joseph Fekete, 501 N. 17th St., Richmond, Va. 23219 Filed Feb. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 345,744 7 Claims. (Cl. 2172) This invention relates to the art of garment construction and more particularly concerns an improved shape retaining lining for a hat or cap.

Heretofore hat and cap linings had to be exactly tailored to fit the outer shell of the hat or cap. This required painstaking, time-consuming work by skilled workers. Unskillful work resulted in wrinkled, poorly fit linings which slipped and fell away from the outer shell since they were secured to the outer shell only at their bottom edges. This condition resulted in disco-mfort in wear, discouraged wearing of hats and caps and reduced the useful life of headwear.

The present invention is directed at solving the above difi'iculties and disadvantages, by providing an improved .lining assembly for headwear requiring a separate lining.

The lining assembly may be used for both hats and caps. It imparts crush resistance to the headwear. It can be prepared by the most economical, mass production methods with no special skill or tailoring experience required. The lining assembly stays in place when set into a hat or cap and the shape of the headwear is retained. The lining assembly includes a band of relatively stiff material attached to a fibrous padded interlining by staples, tacks,

sewing, gluing or other suitable means. An interior cloth lining is provided inside the padded interlining.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a lining of simplified construction which can be inserted into a hat or cap used for sportswear, casual wear, formal wear, military wear or for general purposes.

Another object is to provide a hat or cap lining which includes a fibrous, felt interliner providing a soft, padded, insulated layer, a stiff, shape retaining band on one side of the fibrous interliner, and a woven cloth layer on the other side of the fibrous interliner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hat or cap with a lining assembly including a stiff, shape retaining band attached at its ends to front, side, and rear points of a cylindrical portion of a fibrous, felt interliner, with a woven cloth layer on the inner side of the felt interliner, and with a binding tape connecting the lining assembly to the body of the cap.

Still another object is to provide a cap with lining as described, wherein the cap has a visor and internal and/ or external earlaps.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will 'be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cap embodying the invention, with earlaps raised.

FIG. 2 is another side elevational view of the cap with earlaps lowered, and parts broken away.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is anenlarged sectional vertical, cross view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing top and side of a stiffener lining assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of part of the stiffener lining assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing inner and outer sides of the "stiffener lining assembly of FIG. 5.

United States Patent 0 FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective View of parts of the lining assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is an oblique side view of a stiffener member employed in the assembly of FIGS. 5-8, parts being broken away.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are side elevational views of other stiffener lining assemblies.

FIG. 12 is an oblique side view of a stiffener member employed in the assembly of FIG. ll.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a cap 20 having a fabric crown formed by a generally cylindrical wall 22 and a generally oval top panel 24 secured to the upper edge of wall 22. To the underside of the panel 24 is secured a stiffener layer 27 made of woven mesh material. Attached to the front end of Wall 22 at the bottom edge thereof is a curved visor 23. At the rear of the cap is an inner woven fabric band 25 forming inner earlaps and an outer knitted fabric band 26 forming outer earlaps and a neck cover when the band is lowered. Band 25 folds inwardly of the cap against inner lining Wall 28 and band 26 folds upwardly against the outside of band 22 when the earlaps are raised as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The bands 25, 26 are secured to side and rear portions of the bottom edge of wall 22.

According to the invention the cap is provided with a lining assembly 30 shown to best advantage in FIGS. 28. This assembly has a cylindrical inner woven fabric wall 28. The wall is made from a fiat band whose ends are secured together at a rear seam S; see FIG. 3. Secured to the upper edge of wall 28 is an oval Woven cloth panel 32. On the outer side of wall 28 is a cylindrical laminated felt pad 34 secured by crossed lines of quilted stitching 35. An oval felt pad 36 is secured on the lining panel 32 by further cross lines of quilted stitching 37; see FIG. 5.

Ends of pad 34, which is formed from a band of felted fibrous material, are secured together with ends of wall 28 at seam S. The upper edge of pad 34 is secured by a seam S together with the upper edge of wall 28 and registering with the peripheral edges of panel 32 and pad 36. Pad 36 is made from the same felted fibrous material as pad 34. This material may be natural or synthetic fibers of cellulose, paper, plastic, fiber glass, wool, etc., or mixtures of such fibers.

On the outer side of pad 34 juxtaposed to front and lateral portions thereof is a stiif band 40. This band may be made of woven burlap or other fabric impregnated with melamine or other plastic to form a waterproof, permanently stiif structure. The band is sufficiently pliable so that it can be shaped around the curved front, sides and rear of pad 34 and secured at its ends by spaced stitches 42. Further spaced stitches 43 may be located at the front of the pad. The pad may have narrow end portions 44 to reduce the bulk or thickness of the cap at the rear and side location of the earlaps. The front or central portion 45 of the band has a width substantially equal to that of pad 34.

Secured by stitching 46 to the lower juxtaposed edges of lining wall 28 and pad 34 is a binding tape 48. This tape may be reinforced on its outer side by a woven mesh fabric band 50 secured thereto. The lower edge of tape 48 is secured to the lower edge of band 22 by stitching S". The upper edges of bands 25 and 26 may also be secured to the lower edge of band 22 by stitching S". A narrow binding tape 49 may be secured at the upper edge of band 25; see FIG. 4.

The lining assembly 30 may be preformed as a separate article of manufacture before being attached to the other parts of the cap. The earlap bands 25 and 26 may be omitted from the cap without in any way modifying the stiffening, padding and insulating functions of the I 3 lining assembly 30 and without modification of its method of attachment to the wall 28 of the cap.

FIG. 10 shows lining assembly 30' including the same components as assembly 30 of FIGS. -8, and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Staples 51, 52, 53 are employed instead of stitching 42, 43 to secure the stiffener band 40 to sides and rear and front of pad 34.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show another stiffener band 40' which may be used instead of band 40 in the lining assembly 30". In band 40" the narrow end portions 44 provided in band 40 are omitted. Band 40' is secured at its tapered ends by stitching 42' to sides of pad 34 and by further stitching 43 to the front of the pad. Other parts corresponding to those of pads 30 and 30 are identically numbered. Either of assemblies 30' or 30" can be assembled with the crown of a cap in place of assembly 30. In all cases, the lining assembly will perform multiple functions. In addition to providing a neat interior finished lining to the cap, the assembly provides a soft, quilted, padded, thermal insulation intermediate lining, and a stiff, shape-retaining support for the crown of the cap.

The lining assemblies described can be made by economical, mass production methods by relatively unskilled labor. They do not require expert, precise tailoring to assemble. Once they are set in place, they are selfsupporting and do not drop down out of the crown of the cap.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a visored cap, it should be understood that the invention is applicable to all kinds of lined headwear with or without visors and brims including hats and caps made of rabbit hair, natural and artificial fur, wool, synthetic fabrics, plastic, natural and artificial leather, etc.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. In an article of headwear having a crown formed by a cylindrical fabric wall and an oval fabric top panel peripheral-1y secured to the upper edge of said wall, a

lifting assembly comprising a fibrous felt body nested inside said crown, said body including a cylindrical pad, an oval pad secured peripherally to the upper edge of said cylindrical pad, a stiff, pliable band secured at central and side points thereof to front and side portions respectively of the outside of said cylindrical pad, an internal cylindrical fabric lining juxtaposed to the inside of the cylindrical pad and secured thereto by crossed quilting stitches, an internal oval fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the underside of the oval pad and secured thereto by other crossed quilting stitches, said oval pad and oval lining panel being peripherally secured to each other and to upper registering edges of said cylindrical lining and cylindrical pad, and a binding and reinforcement tape secured at an upper edge to registering bottom edges of the cylindrical pad and cylindrical lining, said tape being secured at its lower edge to a bottom edge of said outer cylindrical fabric wall of the crown.

2. In an article of headwear having a crown formed by a cylindrical fabric wall and an oval fabric top panel peripherally secured to the upper edge of said wall, a lining assembly comprising a fibrous felt body nested inside said crown, said body including a cylindrical pad, an oval pad secured peripherally to the upper edge of said cylindrical pad, a stiff, pliable generally rectangular band having a central portion substantially equal in width to that of the cylindrical pad and having narrow portions a d g from pposite ends of the central portion,

staples securing spaced points of said central portion of the stiff band to spaced front points of the cylindrical pad and securing spaced points of the narrow portions of the band to side rear portions of the cylindrical pad, an internal cylindrical fabric lining juxtaposed to the inside of the cylindrical pad and secured thereto by crossed quilting stitches, an internal oval fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the underside of the oval pad and secured thereto by other crossed quilting stitches, said oval pad and oval lining panel being peripherally secured to each other and to upper registering edges of said cylindrical lining and cylindrical pad, and a binding and reinforcement tape secured at an upper edge to registering bottom edges of the cylindrical pad and cylindrical lining, said tape being secured at its lower edge to a bottom edge of said outer cylindrical fabric wall of the crown.

3. A lining assembly for an article of headwear such as a cap, comprising a fibrous felt body including a cylindrical fibrous pad, an oval fibrous pad having its periphery juxtaposed to the upper edge of the cylindrical pad, a stiff pliable band secured at central and side points thereof to front and side portions respectively of the outside of said cylindrical pad, an internal cylindrical fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the inside of the cylindrical pad, an internal oval fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the underside of the oval pad, said oval pad and oval lining panel being peripherally secured to each other and to upper registering edges of said cylindrical lining panel and cylindrical pad, and a tape secured at an upper edge thereof to registering bottom edges of the cylindrical pad and cylindrical lining panel, said tape having its lower edge free for attachment to a crown of the cap.

4. A lining assembly for a cap or other article of headwear, comprising a fibrous felt body including a cylindrical fibrous pad, an oval fibrous pad having its periphery juxtaposed to the upper edge of the cylindrical pad, a stiff pliable band generally rectangular in shape having a central portion substantially equal in width to that of the cylindrical pad and having narrow portions extending from opposite ends of the central portions, stitching securing spaced points of said central portion of the stiff band to spaced front points of the cylindrical pad and securing spaced points of said narrow portions of the band to side and rear portions of the cylindrical pad, an internal cylindrical fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the inside of the cylindrical pad, an internal oval fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the underside of'the oval pad, said oval pad and oval lining panel being peripherally secured to each other and to upper registering edges of said cylindrical lining panel and cylindrical pad, and a tape secured at an upper edge thereof to registering bottom edges of the cylindrical pad and cylindrical lining panel, said tape having its lower edge free for attachment to a crown of the cap.

5. A lining assembly for an article of headwear such as a cap, comprising a fibrous felt body including a cylindrical fibrous pad, an oval fibrous pad having its periphery juxtaposed to the upper edge of the cylindrical pad, a stiff pliable band secured at central and side points thereof to front and side portions respectively of the outside of said cylindrical pad, an internal cylindrical fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the inside of the cylindrical pad, an internal oval fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the underside of the oval pad, said oval pad and oval lining panel being peripherally secured to each other and to upper registering edges of said cylindrical lining panel and cylindrical pad, a tape secured at an upper edge thereof to registering bottom edges of the cylindrical pad and cylindrical lining panel, said tape having its lower edge free for attachment to a crown of the cap, and crossed lines of quilting stitches securing said cylindrical pad and oval pad to the cylindrical lining and oval lining panels respectively.

6. In an article of headwear having a crown formed by a cylindrical fabric wall and an oval fabric top panel peripherally secured to the upper edge of said wall, a lining assembly comprising a fibrous felt body nested inside said crown, said body including a cylindrical pad, an oval pad secured peripherally to the upper edge of said cylindrical pad, a stiff, pliable band secured at central and side points thereof to front and side portions respectively of the outside of said cylindrical pad, an internal cylindrical fabric lining juxtaposed to the inside of the cylindrical pad and secured thereto by crossed quilting stitches, an internal oval fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the underside of the oval pad and secured thereto by other crossed quilting stitches, said oval pad and oval lining panel being peripherally secured to each other and to upper registering edges of said cylindrical lining and cylindrical pad, a binding and reinforcement tape secured at an upper edge to registering bottom edges of the cylindrical pad and cylindrical lining, said tape being secured at its lower edge to a bottom edge of said outer cylindrical fabric Wall of the crown, a visor secured to the bottom edge of cylindrical wall at the front thereof, and at least one earlap band secured to side and rear portions of the bottom edge of said cylindrical wall.

7. In an article of headwear having a crown formed by a cylindrical fabric wall and an oval fabric top panel peripherally secured to the upper edge of said wall, a lining assembly comprising a fibrous felt body nested in side said crown, said body including a cylindrical pad, an oval pad secured peripherally to the upper edge of said cylindrical pad, a stiff, pliable generally rectangular band having a central portion substantially equal in width to that of the cylindrical pad and having narrow portions extending from opposite ends of the central portion,

means securing spaced points of said central portion of the stiff band to spaced front points of the cylindrical pad, means securing spaced points of said narrow portions of the band to side and rear portions of the cylindrical pad, an internal cylindrical fabric lining juxtaposed to the inside of the cylindrical pad and secured thereto by crossed quilting stitches, an internal oval fabric lining panel juxtaposed to the underside of the oval pad and secured thereto by other crossed quilting stitches, said oval pad and oval lining panel being peripherally secured to each other and to upper registering edges of said cylindrical lining and cylindrical pad, and a binding and reinforcement tape secured at an upper edge to registering bottom edges of the cylindrical pad and cylindrical lining, said tape being secured at its lower edge to a bottom edge of said outer cylindrical fabric wall of the crown, a visor secured to the bottom edge of said cylindrical wall at the front thereof, and at least one earlap b and secured to side and rear portions of the bottom edge of said cylindrical wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 693,613 2/ 1902 Lichtenstein 2-172 2,716,753 9/1955 Gordon 2--195 2,885,683 5/1959 Lipkin 2172 3,134,983 6/1964 Lipkin 2-172 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN ARTICLE OF HEADWEAR HAVING A CROWN FORMED BY A CYLINDRICAL FABRIC WALL AND AN OVAL FABRIC TOP PANEL PERIPHERALLY SECURED TO THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID WALL, A LINING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FIBROUS FELT BODY NESTED INSIDE SAID CROWN, SAID BODY INCLUDING A CYCLINDRICAL PAD, AN OVAL PAD SECURED PERIPHERALLY TO THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID CYLINDRICAL PAD, A STIFF, PLIABLE BAND SECURED AT CENTRAL AND SIDE POINTS THEREOF TO FRONT AND SIDE PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY OF THE OUTSIDE OF SAID CYCLINDRICAL PAD, AN INTERNAL CYCLINDRICAL FABRIC LINING JUXTAPOSED TO THE INSIDE OF THE CYLINDRICAL PAD AND SECURED THERETO BE CROSSED QUILTING STITCHES, AN INTERNAL OVAL FABRIC LINING PANEL JUXTAPOSED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE OVAL PAD AND SECURED THERETO BY OTHER CROSSED QUILTING STITCHES, SAID OVAL PAD AND OVAL LINGING PANEL BEING PERIPHERALLY SECURED TO EACH OTHER AND TO UPPER REGISTERING EDGES OF SAID CYLINDRICAL LINING AND CYLINDRICAL PAD, AND A BINDING AND REINFORCEMENT TAPE SECURED AT AN UPPER EDGE TO REGISTERING BOTTOM EDGES OF THE CYLINDRICAL PAD AND CYLINDRICAL LINING, SAID TAPE BEING SECURED AT ITS LOWER EDGE TO A BOTTOM EDGE OF SAID OUTER CYLINDRICA FABRIC WALL OF THE CROWN. 